France’s Pavard wins World Cup Goal of the Tournament

France right-back Benjamin Pavard has won the 2018 World Cup goal of the tournament award for his wonder strike against Argentina, FIFA announced on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Stuttgart right-back ran onto a left-wing cross from Lucas Hernandez and sent a right-footed half-volley spinning into the top corner to level eventual champions France’s last-16 tie with Argentina at 2-2 in the 57th minute.

Les Blues went on to win an extraordinary game 4-3 before beating Croatia in the final on July 15 for their second World cup trophy.

Pavard’s effort won a public vote to be named the best of the 169 goals scored in the tournament, seeing off competition from Colombian midfielder Juan Quintero’s free-kick against Japan, Luka Modric’s goal in Croatia’s group-stage thumping of Argentina and Ahmed Musa’s strike in Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Iceland.

The young French defender has been linked with a move to German champions Bayern Munich after his great showing at the Mundial.